We, the Global Anti-Imperialism Grassroots Islamic Organization, express with great pride and joy the independence of Kosova on the 17th of February on the year of 2008. We also express our utmost sympathy to the loss of the many innocent people of Kosova in this long fight for nationhood. Our organization urges all individuals and governments to recognize the new state, and we express great reservations to those states which oppose the self-determination of the benevolent state of Kosova.
Since the early 1990's, the Serbians have attempted to cleanse Kosova of its native Muslim population with the use of massacre and intimidation on the ethnic Albanian Kosovars of the region. Following horrifying massacres in Serbia and Kosova against native Muslims, Muslims around the world protested as many European nations simply allowed the massacres to take place before their very eyes. Many EU states were thus accomplices in the attempted genocide of the Kosova people and in addition they did not allow the Muslim nations to actively protect their brethren citing it as a regional European issue. After the situation had become uncontrollable diplomatically, the United States along with its NATO allies carried out bombing raids against Serbian aggressors to procure a withdrawal from Kosova. The state had been ruled by the UN and policed by UN peacekeepers since its announcement of independence.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had expressed wishes of an independent Kosovo since the invasion of Kosova by Serbia. Many Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Indonesia have sent vast amounts of aid in the form of food, water, medicine, religious material, and peacekeepers. Muslims throughout the world have shown their willingness to sacrifice whatever is necessary to bring the lives of Muslims in Europe to normalcy. Among the majority of those countries which have accepted Kosova's independence, many are Muslim countries which belong to the OIC. We hope the Islamic solidarity among the various Muslim people of the world will increase as we jointly support the rights of our brothers in Europe. Muslim nations such as Pakistan, Senegal, Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, and Albania are currently spearheading Muslim recognition of Kosova.
Although many nations have recognized Kosova's independence, some nations have refused to do so. Kosova's independence took place in response to Serbian aggression. Kosovars unilaterally decided to declare independence as living peacefully in a state which supported their extermination was impossible. Serbia's traditional Orthodox Christian allies such as Russia, Greece, and many Eastern European neighbors have refused to recognize Muslim Kosova's independence due to solidarity with Serbia, in spite of its massacres against Muslims. Other nations such as Spain, China, Argentina, and others are simply against Kosova's independence due quelling separatist movements within their own nations. Denying the legitimate right of a population to escape persecution from a state which supports its genocide is inexcusable. Venezuela is against Kosova's independence simply because the US helped it achieve independence, and will hurt its image among Muslims in the future. Nations which have an anti-Muslim bias such as India, Israel, Russia, Greece, and China have consistently been against the recognition of independence of any Muslim state. However it is a welcome relief that the US and many of its NATO allies, along with leading EU nations, support the independence of Kosova.
In conclusion, Kosova does not pose any threat to any nation, yet is required for the betterment of the lives of a substantial number of Muslims in Europe. Those nations which deny the right of independence of Kosova show mere prejudice and lack of vision. The nations which have supporting Kosova since the Serbian invasion and the present move for self-determination need to be commended for their respect of freedom, justice, and have shown that they are worthy of respect. May Kosova's inclusion into the word increase the power and prestige of all Muslims and those who desire good in the world.
-issued by the Global Anti-Imperialism Grassroots Islamic Organization [2/27/08]